How old to start kids?

[Domineaux]

Hello fellow firearm enthusiasts,
I am an avid enthusiast of all things firearm (or weapon) related, and am trying to show my wife how to be that way as well. She is ok with guns, but is a bit skittish with them, though she has already learned to enjoy pistol shooting with my guns buddies. We have two sons ages 4 & 20 months old, and have already started discussing the proper age to introduce them into gun sports. (more like she is trying to tell me it won't happen till they are old enough to drive)

We came to the compromise that I should post a thread asking the views of other parents to see what age would be considered most suitable for us to plan on. Personally, I lean towards age 8 as I want my kids to be well enough trained with guns (and weapons of all kinds) as to know very well how to respect and be safe with them. Ideally, if my sons are at a friends house when their friend brings out their dad's pistol for a bit of show off, I would want my sons to either clear the gun and make it safe, or leave after giving a good enough explanation to his friend as to cause him to put it away and never bring it out again.


Any of you that are parents, what age sounds most reasonable to you for starting your son (or if you had a son, but only have a daughter) into firearms? Also, please elaborate if you feel like it about good ways to start kids.

[Nikolai]

Greetings,
I feel 12 years old is the proper age (for me) to fully introduce children into shooting, or hunting. For what it's worth, I believe 18 is the legal adult age in the United States, and only affords the right to own a long rifle and/or a shotgun.

-Nikolai

[John]

Hello fellow firearm enthusiasts,
I am an avid enthusiast of all things firearm (or weapon) related, and am trying to show my wife how to be that way as well. She is ok with guns, but is a bit skittish with them, though she has already learned to enjoy pistol shooting with my guns buddies. We have two sons ages 4 & 20 months old, and have already started discussing the proper age to introduce them into gun sports. (more like she is trying to tell me it won't happen till they are old enough to drive)

We came to the compromise that I should post a thread asking the views of other parents to see what age would be considered most suitable for us to plan on. Personally, I lean towards age 8 as I want my kids to be well enough trained with guns (and weapons of all kinds) as to know very well how to respect and be safe with them. Ideally, if my sons are at a friends house when their friend brings out their dad's pistol for a bit of show off, I would want my sons to either clear the gun and make it safe, or leave after giving a good enough explanation to his friend as to cause him to put it away and never bring it out again.


Any of you that are parents, what age sounds most reasonable to you for starting your son (or if you had a son, but only have a daughter) into firearms? Also, please elaborate if you feel like it about good ways to start kids.
I do not know, my twins are three, and they already say, in their own, still not 100% comprehensible language "we never touch dad's pach-pach" (this last word means pistol), or "this is not our pach-pach, we never touch it, never".

But they sure were started at the age of 2 to play with guns. Here is a proof:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/alex1911.jpg

Rgds

[Domineaux]

Nice pic John!

Please all remember to vote, as I can imagine this may be a useful poll to others in the future.


Nikolai:
17 is the age of being legally concidered an adult in the US which basically just means that is the age of which one can enter into legal contracts, and go to jail. You are right though about 18 being the age where long guns are legal to buy/own.

17 = adult but not able to have ciggs or guns or alcohol. Whats so adult about it? lol couldn't resist!

[Jim V]

Wouldn't it depend a lot on the maturity of the child in question? I have friends that had their young children watch them clean their guns and ask questions. All the while repeating the safety rules to them. Later they let them "help' with the cleaning. That help made them think they were doing something important with their father. (A little bonding there.)

<Had to do something for work :( and I'm back. :) >

After watching and helping with the gun cleaning and having the ability to understand and repeat the Eddy The Eagle rules for kids, "If you see a gun, don't touch, lave and tell an adult." take them to the range to watch you shoot. Make sure they have both ear and eye protection.
If they can understand "no" at 4 years, start them then.

Like I said, it depends on the maturity of the child (and parent in some cases) in question.

PS IIRC, an 18 year old's ownership of handguns in the US depends on state law not federal. They can't buy from an FFL holder however.

[NWHathway]

I just have a little story I thought might be an eye opener.
When I was younger maybe ten or so I always could get into one of the many safes at my house. My father had no idea about this at the time but I could guarantee that I could get a gun at anytime. My father was always very careful about locking up his guns but not safe enough for and interested child with a fascination of guns. I suppose that was his fault teaching me at a young age, but he also talked about the rules and made me familiar with the operation of them by cleaning and firing. The first gun I got access to was a .308 bolt action I got to it well he was at work and all I did was pick the lock on the case. Maybe I was a little older then 10. All I did was handle it then put it away, still very dangerous. Another time he was getting ready for work and I kind of glanced into the room and saw him punch in the combo on the safe by his bed. That one I never did get in because he had it set so he had to hit multiple keys at the same time. The best one was, he had gone to work on a Saturday morning, the night before I had unlocked with his keys the safe in the garage then made it look like it was locked. That morning I was going to handle the Ruger 22/45 I loaded up two mags and had one in the gun. When suddenly the garage door started to open, I froze with a loaded gun in hand. It was my Dad he had come home a lot sooner than expected. The horror he must have felt at that moment is something I hope never to have to compare to. He got out of his car and very calmly asked what I was doing. I’m sure at this point I looked like a deer in headlights and answered that I had saw a suspicious man in the backyard. He quickly investigated and came back and said no one is there what were you really doing. Thinking this was the end for me I confided and told him I was just checking out the gun. His calmness was the scariest part. He never did get mad we just had a long discussion and ended up at the range that afternoon... I’m sure after that he was even more careful about the access to the firearms, I never checked......
So don't underestimate the curiosity of your children. Where there is a will there is a way. I think teaching at a young age is great just be extra careful.

[Zydeco76]

For what its worth I just started my daughter at age 4. I would'nt do this with just any 4 year old but she is very mature about it. I did this to avoid an accident in the future. I take her to the range with me. She has seen what happens to a watermellon when a shotgun hits it. She now respects firearms. I lost a buddy when I was kid because another kid was playing with his dads gun. I feel the more a kid is allowed to handle the firearms the less mystique they have. I remember sneaking into my parents room and playing with the old .45 long colt. I even snuck out back and shot a cup. That was the first time I ever fired a gun. I could have easily killed somebody. I never want my kids to make that mistake. If they want to shoot great. No matter how meticulous you think you are your kids will get ahold of your guns if they want to bad enough. My kids will never have to pick the lock on my safe. They can shoot anytime they want. Infact I think the younger you teach them the better. When they are very young you can create safe habits that they will never forget. Just make sure to create a sence of respect, NOT FEAR. IT IS MY OPINION THAT UNREASONABLE FEAR OF FIREARMS CAUSE MORE ACCIDENTS THAN ANYTHING ELSE. Take your wife and kids and go shoot. This is an excellent family practice. I have found that most of the people you meet at the range are conservative family people.

[tpichet]

I started around age 5 with air rifles and pistols. Once I had the concept of aiming and proper form down with something light with limited recoil, dad took me out to get a 20 guage for bird hunting. It's all been downhill since then and I now have a collection around the house. Although the most recent addition takes me back to the beginning with a Daisy air rifle coming home just a couple months ago to help with the bird problem around the horse barns.

Whatever age you start them at, just make sure they understand right away just how dangerous a gun can be. Hollywood has gone a long way to make guns look less dangerous then they are (hero shot 42 times and still saves the day type movies). The example of a watermelon taking the hit might be a good graphic example of what really happens.

[LtlBear]

Start teaching them gun safety as soon as they know you have guns. I grew up around guns, and was shooting bb and pump pellet guns at age 5 and 22’s and 38 pistols at age 6. The key is to show them proper safety and handling rules. Curiosity is your enemy.
My granddad was a gun smith and collector. His guns were just hanging on the walls in his basement. We could look at any one at any time, but you damn sure better check to see if it was loaded upon picking it up and unload it if it was, unless you were about to shoot it. If you were caught breaking a safety rule, you got to watch your brother or cousin shot that day, but you were out of luck.
Understanding the power of a gun can only be understood by letting them pull the trigger and seeing the results for themselves. It can not be told. Here is where satisfying their curiosity keeps them safe. If you do not think they can get to your positions, think again. Just like NWHathway, where there is a will there is a way. The sooner they understand guns and gun safety, the less curiosity they have and the less likely they will do something stupid to impress friends when they get older.

[telcom911]

Most kids comprehed 'NO' by then, I started mine with serious safety and maintinence at around 3. They would sit with my while I clean guns and ask questions and such. BB guns at around 5, .22 rifle and pistol at around 6. UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION. At 6 or seven they are shooting in Cub Scouts (BB gun) by the time they got there I wanted them to KNOW safety and be comfortable handling a firearm.


With proper supervision it is never to young, the real question is when can they go to the farm and plink by themselves or with friends, and that just depends on the kid. I have a 14 year old who would not be allowed, he is a scaterbrain, brilliant kid- way smarter then me- but just can't think two steps ahead. My 11 year old may be allowed if he asked, much better head (common sense wise) on his shoulders, but he would not ask because that would not be comfortable for him, he feels a kid should be supervised- he feels that way because he knows how dangerous a firearm can be, and takes them very seriously.


You just can't put a blanket age on this, it really depends. I know a few adults -COPS- who I do not trust with a gun.

[Wes Janson]

I fired my first shot at 17.

But realistically, I could probably have started at 12. It all depends on the person. There might not really be a good age. Some teenagers I'd never want to be able to handle firearms.

On the other hand, people like Carbine Williams, and JMB, were building their own guns before they were even 12. I think back, and I imagine..I probably could've been taught gun safety at five or six. Someone should've been watching me all the time, but I probably could have handled a light firearm in a halfways competant manner. Oddly, I recall seeing guns when I was younger..my uncle's Smith, another guy's .357..but I never had any interest in messing with them. We could drop by my uncle's house, and I'd see the Smith sitting on the counter, holstered, and it would register to me as a gun, but I didn't really care. Knew not to touch it, didn't want to.

Kids should definitely be started out with a .22 rifle. Then a .22 pistol. Then maybe a soft-recoiling 9mm. Then a .45 acp. Etc.

[MrsKey]

Introduction to gun safety - as soon as they are able to understand words. Practical hands on instruction should begin as soon as the child shows an interest in handling and firing guns. Keeping guns away from kids at all times and treating them like something mysterious only increases the child's curiosity and that can lead to problems.

We introduced our daughter to guns and gun safety years before she was able to shoot. But we let her see the guns, handled the guns (under supervision, of course), see what ammo looks like and taught her the basic rules for kids and guns:

#1 - A gun is always loaded.

#2 - Never handle a loaded gun.

#3 - A gun is always loaded.

#4 - If your friends are handling a gun leave the area and tell an adult.

Oh yeah and rule #5 Guns are always loaded.

This started around the age of 3 or 4.

We didn't start taking her to the range until she started to express an interest in guns. At which point we sat her down and went over the rules of safe gun handling and added a new rule to the list of gun rules.

At the range there will be immediate, unconditional and unquestioning obedience. Period.

She's been shooting for about a year now.

My dad was a cop so there were always guns in the house. I was exposed to guns and gun safety rules practically from birth. I started shooting at 6 (a .22 rifle plinking at dead trees and a rusted out car in the woods). I didn't start shooting handguns until I was 13 - which is when I started developing an interest in them. But we always had gun safety lectures when I was a kid so I learned how to check a gun to see if it was loaded and handle one safely before I started getting interested in shooting.

[stumbler]

Teaching a child is never ending. Re-enforcement should be there all the time. The sooner a child learns that a firearm is not a plaything, but a tool, the better. Age 5 is old enough for one to understand what can hurt them. Even a BB gun or paint ball gun hurts and should be handled as safely as any other firearm. Teach the responsibility. Teach them correctly early. (Lord knows that we have kids doing things now that were not even thought of when I was a teenager).

[wichaka]

I'm with Jim V on this one............it depends on the maturity of the child.

My son is soon to be 9 in 2 months and started him out last summer. There's a neighbor boy who's 9 and I wouldn't let him around a gun or anything so much as a dull butter knife.

Its a decision of the parents and a good wholesome review of where the child is in maturity/responsibility.

My nephew is 10 and already driving tractors etc..........

By the way, my vote was for 8, but again that depends on the child. Take it case by case, don't think there's really any hard age we can pick out for this one.

[Sifu]

I grew up in a rural environment and guns were a part of life, mostly rifles and shotguns. We didn't have a need for a pistol but the weapons were always in the gun case and it was locked. As kids, we were taught not to touch the weapons but were always welcome to participate when the guns were out. I got a BB gun when I was 8, a 22 rifle when I was 12, a .410 shotgun when I was 14, a .308 when I was 15 and so on. As young teens, we would go out in the early morning, shoot dove/quail/rabbit/squirrel, bring it home and have it for breakfast.

But I have concerns about the urbanized world we live in today. There is too much violence in the media and in the games/enterprises available to youth today and it seems the kids are less responsible than ever. I think it's a parental judgement call as to what their children are exposed to, when and to what degree (as best we can).

I don't leave my gear out. When I come home, the weapons go in the lockbox. My kids have been taught to not touch my gear even if were out. I make my wife and kids a part of it by taking them to the range, training and having them participate. They watch/help me disassemble/clean & reassemble. They know well what Weapons Detail means. They touch and feel and by making them a part of it, they respect it.

Again, it's the parents call.

[TSP]

Like Sifu, I grew up in a very rural environment. Got a .22 rifle for my 10th birthday and was well acquainted with firearms at that time. My father in law drove a tank in Korea and had my wife shooting pistols when she was old enough to walk. My kids are 9, 8, and 2. The 9 year old has been pulling the handle on the reloading press for a couple of years and started shooting a .22 last summer. The 8 year old has no interest whatsoever and likely will never "get the bug". There is really no simple answer to the "when can they shoot" question, some may never (God forbid!). What I can say with no hesitation is that they are never too young to be taught gun safety . Even if my middle child never has the desire to shoot, she will grow up knowing responsibility and safety.
Tim

[Domineaux]

Lots of great feedback, thanks to all!

Please anyone else offer their experience or thoughts

[b1bendt]

My son received a bb/pellet rifle from his grandfather for Christmas when he was 7. My girls were a few years older and didn't show much of an interest. I bought my son a shotgun for his 10th birthday and got him a .22 rifle at 12th birthday. I also signed all three kids up for hunter safety course and had them go to all the classes and range to complete the course. My girls were a little surprised I did this but I wanted them to experience the class first hand. I always taught them to respect firearms and they now appreciate the fact I made them attend the course.

[Mannlicher]

If by 'start' you mean exposing kids to firearms, then somewhere north of "toddler" works for me. If you mean the age at which you let them handle, and learn to shoot, I like age 7. Thats when my Granddad, and my Pappy got me going. Gun safety though, was learned at a much earlier age.

[theArmedRebel]

For a cartridge firing gun. BB or pellet gun around five, depending on maturity. The basic schooling, Eddie the Eagle should start before that. I have friends with kids that age, one is "ready" the other is definitely not.

Robert

[gottripletsNC]

I would have to say it all depends on the child too, I voted for 8, but I was 6 or 7 when I got a BB gun, and was very safe with it, but as a boy I was very interested in guns, so I took to heart the safety and respect side of it seriously. My girls are all very different, one is very focused, one is flighty, and the other is just plain out nerve racking, she isn't scared of a thing which scares me...

I think one will be ready long before the other two...

They would have to show GOOD responsibility with a firearm before live ammunition was allowed, stay with BB guns first...

Lemme rephrase the first line, it all depends on how we as the adult raises, teaches and trains the kids to properly respect the weapon.

As soon as mine show some responsibility and interest they will get started even tho they are all 3 girls(almost 2 years old) HELP!!!!!! JOHN HELP!!!!!

[John]

I'll be glad to help, but I ain't going to have to get another baby to cover you up! Two is more than a handful for me, so no more ! And that's definite! LoL

[gottripletsNC]

I'll be glad to help, but I ain't going to have to get another baby to cover you up! Two is more than a handful for me, so no more ! And that's definite! LoL


Don't wanna try 3 huh?

The better half knows a family that adopted trips, then came up prego with trips, 6 babies less than a year apart, makes me feel happy with 3, can ya imagine the range trip cost with 6? 45 at 10$ for box of 50.......

[DW1]

I would have to agree, it depends on the child and the parents. I have 2 kids, my son started around 4 with a bb gun and me right there of course. I got him a .22 single shot at 6, he passed his hunter safety course at 8 and shot his first deer at 9. I have always preached safety from day one, and would have to say that now at age 12 he handles firearms better than some adults I have seen. I also have a daughter 9 yrs old, she started shooting around 5, she knows all the safety rules, but would rather go to the range and just watch. It doesn't interest her that much. I think the biggest thing with kids and accidents, is curiosity. It's natural and therefore I think extremely important to atleast have a dialogue as early as possible with your children. My children can touch any of my guns they would like, the only rule is they have to ask me first.

[thirteen]

yep, it depends on the kid, my daughter started shooting at 5, my son is 5 now and he wont be shooting for a long time, though they both know safety and can look at them whenever they ask, but the boy just wont be ready to shoot in my opinion for a while. the girl has been shooting for seven years.

[TheProf-TX]

I started my kids (son and daughter) when they were about 8. I took them with us when we went to shoot so they would know what a gun really does. A plastic one gallon milk jug filled with colored water and shot with a .308 at close range makes an impression.

When they were old enough to wander around, they knew guns were off-limits unless I was around. Mine were locked up but you never know about the neighbors kids.

They knew what to do and what not to do with a firearm. We treated pellet guns just like powder-burning guns and kept them under lock and key. After they mastered a pellet pistol (A S&W .22 CO2) we graduated to a .22 revolver.

My 14 year old son can out shoot several of the LEO at the range with my M1911 .45. He was able to keep all the rounds from a Tarus Ranging Bull on the paper at 25 feet and the .454 Casul cartridge is a major handful.

Maybe it just comes from growing up in a small Texas town :)

-Richard

[RomeoTango]

When my son was 5 (now 17, and knows everything) the rules were he could not have any toy guns that looked like real guns. We would take various weapon and lay them on wood for trace and cut them out. He had every thing from MP-5 SD, to PPK to AR to Gl**k. Got to be a pain, any time someone brought over something new, he would want to trace it.
Anytime he wanted (he knew) I would unload any weapon he chose and would let him hold it, heft it and dry fire.
Anytime he wanted (logistics permitting) we would go shooting and he could shoot anything he wanted. 10-22 and Gl**k 19 were his favorites
In first grade he could recite the five rules of safety.
It was risky, but he never touched a weapon without permission. He ALWAYS kept his finger off the trigger, even on the wooden guns.
In fact, unless he wanted to go shooting, guns held his interest as much as the vacuum cleaner.

In the words of Hunter S. Thompson: I don't recommend it for everyone just because it works for me.

[Joni Lynn]

My opinion is that almost all children should all be taught the safe handling of firearms, and then how to use them if that is their wish. The age this occurs at will vary somewhat and will of course be considered by the teacher. I learned at an early age and see no problem teaching a child that is aware enough to understand the issues at hand. On the other hand I know adults I wouldn't allow near a firearm.

[TheProf-TX]

Ahhh, I forgot to relate *MY* first shooting experience. I was six years old. The weapon in questions was a .50 cal belt-feed Browning M2 machine gun.

It was field day at Fort Stweart, Georgia. The weapon was firing live ammunition and pinned to only fire down range. An old master sargent was "helping" us kiddos.

The second one I got to "fire" that day was from inside a tank. I don't remember the caliber.

All firearms since them have been a disappointment.

I suspect that my father being a captain helped things along somewhat.

I missed South East Asia but still have my draft card :)

[wwfeatherston]

My youngest has been squeezing a few off, just short of 3 years old and loves it!

My big experience was firing a .303 british at age 11!

I have never looked back!

[mmcrow]

my little girl is 3 and she know that they are daddys guns and little kids don't touch guns. she sees what guns do when im shooting behind the house. she will get a bb gun some time in the near future and begin to learn gun safety. she might not have an interest in guns or shooting as she grows up but she will know gun safety because we live in the country and i would guess that most house holds have a gun of some kind in them. my son is 5 months old and i cant wait for him to come of age, the fun i hope we will have together as a family.

[Cap]

as already mentioned, it depends on the kid AND the parent

also already mentioned, their education in firearm safety should start as soon as they're old enough to walk.
Accidents may not happen in YOUR home, but you don't know how responsible the parent's of your kids friends are.
Teach them early

As far as "when" they should get their first, my kids started out with dart guns when they were maybe 3 or 4.
My son John got his first BB guns for Christmas when he was a couple months shy of 6.
My daughter didn't share the same enthusiasm for wanting one, or she would of got one at that age too.

Both learned to shoot real fire arms in the back acre with me as soon as they expressed an interest.
(22s, shot guns and 38/357)

My son got his first shot gun to call his own at 10.
A cheap import dbl barrel 20ga that I cut the stock down on so he could shoulder it right.
He proudly displayed it in the top rack above his BB guns in the gun rack on his bed rm wall.
Though he had been plinking with 22s and shot every gun I owned long before that.


..L.T.A.

[scooter]

Start them on firearm safety young and be strict and they should live a lot longerhttp://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon11.gif

[Mike W1]

My daughter started at 5 with a .22 Chipmunk. My son also at 5 with a little Iver Johnson. When they were shooting I always stood beside them watching the muzzle direction for a number of years. Never had any problem with either of them but my experience leans toward the girls being the better students. I don't think I ever had to give her a pointer twice and the boy never seemed to listen as attentively. But they were safe shooters for a long time before Dad wasn't glued to what they were doing. Actual time before I slackened a bit was likely several years for sure and they got to shoot each Sunday. Guns were locked away but they could always handle them if they wanted to, but don't recall they ever did ask, as it was around them so not a matter of curiousity for them. I don't think most of the kids I've seen probably ought to be started that early though, mine were expected to behave in all matters and I'm not seeing that on a regular basis with kids nowadays. I'll probably vote around 8.

[Hunter]

I believe that a child should be taught firearms safety as soon as they are able to comprehend what you are teaching.
As far as a first range trip it really depends on how mature the child is (as was said before). My first range trip was around 5 with a Remington .22LR and a brick of ammunition with my father. Some time after that I graduated to his Winchester 1897 12ga. and Colt 1911. He had taught me firearm safety long before my first range trip with a bb rifle.

[Velocette]

5 years or even earlier to begin teaching gun safety and gun handling. How to check for a firearm being unloaded, how to clear a firearm, what to look for, what not to do.
Most importantly, how to handle a firearm, what they feel like, what to look for.
Then move on to BB or pellet guns that they shoot and then to the ubiquitous .22 rifle. Never keep them from handling or looking at the weapons when they ask. Curiosity is what will be a larger problem than anything.
My son Colin was shooting my .45 Govt model at age 12, accurately and safely.

Great story about that. We (Colin & I) were at an indoor range, he was 12 and not a large 12 at that. He was shooting one of my 1911 .45s at about 30 ft. At each shot, he would move back a bit from the recoil. The local "master-blasters" in the lane next to us were watching him and laughing about his method of handling recoil.
That is until he brought his target back to review. All in a small group maybe 4 or 5 inches. They suddenly stopped laughing and looked away. Their "groups" were at the same distance or less, about 24".
Son went on to a successful 4 yrs in the Marine Corps and still shoots regularly.
I guess I did my job right.

Roger

[rollback88]

Started with my oldest daughter at 7. But, much like John mentioned, the "never touch guns" mantra started way early. Our 2 year old daughter recites the mantra and admonishes me to "be careful with guns, daddy" as she "helps" me clean them.

--jcd

[Tom T Bosee]

Teach safety as early as possible, and it's important in this day of action movies and video games to show children what real guns in a real environment can do to real objects. I fired a .410 shotgun at a scrap of 2x4 lumber at close range at age 11, and it left a lasting impression! Using water melons, junked cars and coconuts as targets is also a good idea to impress upon a young mind what lethal force can do.

[dogdollar]

I started my son at 6.

I bought TWO single shot BB guns (one for me, one for him) so there was a level playing field, and he and I would shoot and compliment each other or make suggestions to one another. It would not have been so much fun if I had the super duper gun and he only had the single shot. Shooting balloons is a great way to start. They are big targets, colorful, and you get to hear the POP when you tag one.

Safety was foremost, and under these circumstances came to him very naturally. To this day ( he is 15 now) he is an excellent shot - when you get used to having just one shot, it gets important to hit your target!!!! - and I would compare his "firearms handling integrity" and range manners with anyone.

Tim

[sonofsarge]

As The Son And Brother Of Leo's, I Have Been Involved With Firearms Most Of My 50 Yrs On This Planet. Started At 6 And Shot A 1911 At 7. My Son Was Started Early With Bb And Single Shot Fa's. A Great Bonding Experience. My Daughters On The Other Hand, Have No Interest Whatsoever. To Them, They're Just More Of Dads Tools.

[clughog]

My eight year old granddaughter was watching me work on a dissembled pistol a couple of months ago. I started doing the "safety" speech and she said, "I know--we learned all about that in school." Turns out that the school invited the police department in to teach the kids about firearms and the dangers. She had taken it all to heart and had a good grasp of the "don't" relating to weapons. I was particulary appreciative as you never know if there's going to be an unattended pistol in one of their friend's houses and you certainly can't be with them everywhere they go. We have had several subsequent "lessons" on firearm safety and I feel certain we will have many more.

[Baldy]

My 5yr old grand daughter helps me with loading chores and gun cleaning now. I'll have her shooting by next year. I let all my kids work into it at their own pace.

[grizz5675]

I guess it all depends on what you mean by asking when to start i started shootin when i was ten and had been hunting many times with an old 16 gauge by the time i was 11.I of course played army with fake guns and sticks up to my double digits.

[bcnu]

Well, I have three kids, they are now 14 thru 25. They have each and every one been around guns their entire life and I have let each one shoot any gun that I have ever had. Everything from a Ruger .22 single six up to several of my .45's, Colt -bar, ak-47 (semi auto of course). I was the same as a child, around guns my entire life. If you keep guns hidden away from kids, they WILL find them and that is when you have trouble. If you let them handle them, shoot them, clean them, it takes the mystery out of them. Of course, safety is of the utmost and can't be stressed enough. Two of my three kids have went on to shoot trap and they can all shoot any firearm in the house and be safe while doing it. John

[Agent 006 &7/8]

I voted for 6. I started my son on a pellet rifle when he was 5 and 3 months. He can recite the 4 rules individually and all of the points of the Eddie-the-Eagle program. He's a crack shot with the pellet rifle from a prone position and I'll probably start him out on the .22 rifle this summer (6 and 3 mo.). He also loves to help me reload and care for my firearms.

[Kid Kwik]

I have four sons. We started with AirSoft guns firing into a 36" square homemade bullet trap in the garage. Safety glasses, range rules, and the whole bit. At the time my oldest was 7.

My moved to a BB gun into the bullet trap. By then my oldest was 8.

I did this with them for a couple of years and then I took the oldest two to the range to fire my Ruger 22/45. The range practice in the garage made going to a real range very easy. At this time they were 10 and 8.

Now I allow my two oldest to fire my 1911s. They are 11 and 9 and can both hit a bowling ball sized pumpkin at 25 yds close to half the time. Every shot is in the neighborhood.

At 25 feet they can hold a magazine slow fire into a ten inch bulleye target and every shot will be in the black.

My younger sons are 7 and 6 and they are just learning to shoot. At Cub Scout camp my 7 year old got more bulleyes in BB guns than my older sons did.

I bought a Ruger 10/22 carbine and they love it. My wife comes with us to the range about half the time. The shooting sports has turned out to be a really great family activity.

My father never took me to the range except to sight in rifles for hunting. I had a lot of fun in my adult years shooting with my friends and I decided that I don't want my kids growing up knowing nothing about guns.

This has worked for me. I definitely agree that many kids and adults are not ready for firearms at any age. For my family starting fairly early is working out.

[wgppp]

My two boys were interested early, my daughter never was. I dealt with my wife's anxiety by pointing out that we could not control what the kids might encounter at other homes and education about guns was just as important as learning about crossing the street. I never let the guns become "forbidden fruit" -- when the kids asked to see my guns we went straight to the gun cabinet and they were allowed to look and handle, always with a brief discussion that these were real, not toys, and something about safe handling. I think I regularly pointed out when appropriate that what they saw on TV about gun handling and the realities of getting shot, was a crock. At about 10 there was hunter ed class and dove hunting, now they hunt everything I do and have always been model citizens when it comes to safety and safe handling.

[vikz]

i have a 3 yr old boy and i already told him that guns are not toys...i told him its daddys tools...he a smart as a whip...every time i an cleaning my guns he watches me and i make sure i remind him...this is not a toy in wich he replies "yes it's daddys tools'..i like that eagle rule ...i read it to my wife and we told him...i know he was listening...kids these days are smart...they get things quicker...

[vikz]

the good part he already told my wife that i need a new gun....how about that.. ;) :) :)

[slugger6]

Like Grizz said, it all depends on what you mean by start. I started my son on rimfire at the age of 8. He took to shooting "like a duck to water".

[Tom]

I think a good age is whenever he (or she) shows an interest or has a general question about guns. My daughter was five or so when she made some statement about being glad we didn't have a gun. I guess she was getting some cultural indoctrination at school. What she didn't know was that my wife had a Taurus PT99 secured in the closet, so when my daughter made this statement, my wife and I both said "Well, honey, that's not exactly true" and proceeded to take the gun down from it's secure location and show it to her. This was one of the watershed moments in our family to get back into shooting and gun ownership.

[John]

This was one of the watershed moments in our family to get back into shooting and gun ownership.

Yeah, the other one being when Carole finally saw the light and demanded Tom's Springfield. LoRL, that was a really watershed moment, for Tom!

[Tom]

As well as a moneyshed moment - money just came hemorrhaging out of my bank account as I bought Carole her own. :(

And of course now my little one - who will be 11 next month - wants the Springfield EMP.

[AnimalKracker]

As well as a moneyshed moment - money just came hemorrhaging out of my bank account as I bought Carole her own. :(

And of course now my little one - who will be 11 next month - wants the Springfield EMP.
I just looked at one last weekend. I want one to daddy! :D

[Tom]

LOL Only if I can also claim you as a tax deduction!

[c pierce]

I said 8 because thats when my dad& grandfather started me hunting rabbits. At 17 i went into the marine corps. I credit my love of hunting& guns for saving my life more than once.